Research reveals steady rise in WC Ivermectin calls

IVERMECTIN-related calls to the Poisons Information Helpline of the Western Cape (PIHWC) increased 12-fold from 2015 to 2021.

This is according to a recent South African Medical Journal research article by researchers from Stellenbosch University and UCT.

The research is titled “Ivermectin exposures reported to the Poisons Information Helpline in South Africa during the Covid-19 pandemic”.

The researchers aimed to compare cases of Ivermectin exposure reported to the PIHWC before and after publication of the drug’s effectiveness against Covid-19.

Calls reported from June 1, 2015 to June 30, 2020 (period one) were compared with calls received from July 1, 2020 to July 31, 2021 (period two).

In June 2020, after Ivermectin was reported to be effective against Covid-19, it sparked public interest globally.

This was despite health authorities not recommending the drug for use against Covid-19, citing “significant methodological limitations of most trials without clear evidence of benefit”.

This led to “increased off-label and unmonitored use”, the authors explain, increasing the likelihood of “toxic Ivermectin exposures”.

“Calls increased from an average of 0.3 calls per month during period one to 3.5 calls per month during period two.

“A total of 54.3% during period two were specifically reported as Covid-19 related.

“Two paediatric cases involved accidental ingestion as a result of Ivermectin being accessible in their respective households secondary to its use for prevention or treatment of Covid-19.”

More than half of the Ivermectin exposures during period two were secondary to veterinary preparations.

Researchers cautioned: “The consequences of such unregulated dispensing are that patients may experience unintended Ivermectin toxicity.

“It is therefore important that while further evidence is gathered, more stringent processes are implemented to curb the irrational use of Ivermectin,” the authors advised.